Disclaimer: I don't own PLL.

Chapter Twenty

"Well? I'm waiting" Mrs. Fitz intensifies her glare, moving her hands to her hips.

Fuck.

Lie Aria, lie.

I huff in frustration when I realise no lie could undo this. We were plain and simple; caught.

It was either stand against her together, or be ripped apart by her.

I stare at the side of Ezra's face waiting for him to start explaining. Waiting for his defence which I know will come.

"Ok, mum. This isn't what it looks like." He starts to plead with her.

"How fucking stupid do you think she is?" I ask before I can bite my tongue.

"Aria, not helping." He sends a small glare my way, while I scoff.

"Right. Because she was going to believe that." I roll my eyes at him before moving my attention back to Mrs. Fitz.

"Enough!" Ezra's eyes widen at his mother's tone and he immediately straightens up, a worried look on his face.

Huh. Reminds me of a little boy being scolded by his mother.

Well that's almost right.

"I can't believe you lied to me, I just. I can't believe it. I trusted you!"

Ezra's eyes drop to the floor ashamed and I bite my lip in regret.

"Mum, I'm sorry. But I knew what you thought about her, about us."Ezra's sincere apology is met with deaf ears.

"I don't want to hear it. I forbid you to see her!"

"You can't do that. I'm an adult, mum. I make my own choices." Ezra's blue eyes turn hard as they stare into his mothers.

"Well, this little thing," she flicks her hand at Ezra and I, and in response I narrow my eyes dangerously at her for calling our relationship a 'thing'.

"This makes my good news for you, more than a little awkward. I guess, I'll just come right out and say it."

I raise my eye brows, and feel butterflies form in my stomach at the possibilities of this 'good news'.

All I know is that I'm about to find out exactly what Jackie was talking about.

"The Molina's and I have decided that you and Jackie are getting married!" Her excited tone makes me want to vomit; I feel tears well in my hazel eyes.

I did not prepare myself for that.

"Isn't that great?" She continues not noticing our shocked, hurt and disgusted reaction.

"No." I hear Ezra whisper so quietly, I'm sure I'm the only one who heard.

I continue to stare at him, a single tear dropping down my cheek waiting for him to rebut against his mother.

I feel more tears slip when he continues to stand there in shock.

I take a deep breath as I wipe the tears from my face, "No. You can't force him to marry someone. What is this? No, absolutely not. This is the twenty first century, start living in it! I mean... What? You just can't..."

"You shut the hell up; this is none of your business." She spits out at me, and I drop my gaze to the floor hurt.

"Like hell it isn't. This affects our relationship mum; I'm in love with her! So your deluded mind does concern her."

Oh thank god. He got over the initial shock.

He's going to fight for us.

"Don't you dare talk to your mother like that young man." She scolds him moving closer.

"Don't you dare talk to the women I love like that mum." Ezra's glare becomes more intense, challenging her to fight him on this.

"Oh, please Ezra," she scoffs, "You don't know what love is. You couldn't possible love her."

I bite down on my bottom lip, willing my tears to stay at bay.

"Don't say that! Don't you ever fucking look at her like that again, like she's nothing." Ezra growls out at his mum, sending her stumbling backwards in shock. "Because she's everything. Don't ever look at her like we're above everyone else. Like there's no possible way I could ever love her. Because I do. I love her so much, she is... She's perfect mum. Beautiful, talented, smart, kind, considerate... I don't deserve her."

"She doesn't deserve you." Mrs. Fitz replies quietly, trying to convince her son.

"Bullshit." He growls at his mother.

"She's right. You can't force me to marry her. I won't do it." Ezra meets his mums steely gaze as they stare each other down.

"I didn't want it to come to this but," she shakes her head, taking a deep breath.

"I have an ultimatum for you. Marry Jackie or lose your trust fund and inheritance."

"What?" He asks shocked.

"You heard me, either you dump her or you don't get anything."

We stand there in silence, processing the words that were just exchanged.

I feel my heart breaking, there's no way he would ever choose me.

"Oh, and Aria?" I move my gaze to meet hers slowly, "You're fired. Pack your things and get out."

I nod solemnly staring at the ground.

"No!"

"Toby?" She asks shocked as we all turn to face him standing by the stairs.

"You can't do that! It's not fair!" he tells her, his voice becoming hysterical.

"Yes I can very well do that. She broke the rules."

"No! You just can't!" He starts to cry and Mrs. Fitz moves awkwardly towards him.

"Give me one good reason," she demands quietly.

"Because I love her!" We all gasp at the revelation, that's news to me.

"I thought you hated me," I ask with a shaky voice.

"Never. You're my big sister! You care about me... You're the only one, besides Ezra, but he's never here. You're always here. You tuck me in at night, you take the time to read to me, you play ball with me, you take me to school, you help me with my homework," he takes a few, deep calming breaths trying to compose himself before continuing.

"And after our Chef serves us the most revolting meal, that mum approved, you take me into the kitchen and make me something normal. Like mac 'n' cheese, or grilled cheese or a peanut butter and jelly sandwich! I mean, let's face it. That's pushing it for you, you can't exactly cook."

I giggle quietly at him before he continues, "I love you, and you can't just leave me here. Alone. No other babysitter has cared like you have. Mums never here, Dad never calls... You just can't leave me. I know I can be a pain in the butt, but you just can't." I feel the need to reach forward and wipe the tears off his small cheeks, but resist my impulses upon seeing Mrs. Fitz make her way closer to him.

He runs up the stairs before anyone can respond and slams his door harshly.

Mrs. Fitz turns and makes her way down the hall, slamming her office door behind her.

"I should go and check on him, and you know... pack my things." I stare at the ground avoiding Ezra and the conversation that I know is to come.

"Aria. We need to talk."

Oh god, I hate that phrase.

This time I know he's going to break up with me.